The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-12
A CONDUCTORS CHASE.
DARING ROBBERY ON MAIN
STREET, AND A LIVELY RUN,
Winding Up With q Painful Flesh
Wound -COlOred Shooting Scrape
Below the City.

One OF the most daring daylight
robberies ever perpe trated 10 this city
ccrurred yesterday morning about
n:S0 o'clo k Mr.. John d. Powers, a
freight conductor on the Memphis and
Charles on railroad, was the victim,
aud it occurred just south of Beale
street.
MI. Powers was on his way to meet
a friend at the Mississippi and Tennes-
see railroad depot, and stopped in the
saloon at the corner of Main and
Bsa'e streets TO purchase pa kage OF
cigarettes. He handed the proprietor
a IS bill from which to take pay ment,
but sfterwsri T membered that he
had smaller change in a roll OF money
in his vest pocket. The S. bill was re.
turned, he pa d the amount from his
small CHI an0e and left. While walk.
ing down Beale he had the roll OF
money out, 10 order to get it all to-
geih r, and paid no at ention to The
ial that he was closely followed by
couple OF nan. Suddenly one of
them ee zed the money, and the two
star ed south at a lively rate, pursued
by NJ. Towers. At Linden street,
pursued and pursuer turned west.
Reaching Shelby, they changed their
course to south again, aOd kept
straight ahead III I'll the Valley routs
freight warehouse was reached.
The Iobb rs had gained considsra-
bly, on Mr.. Powers, but he was close
enough TO see them pass through the
gaze into the warehouse yard and
take refuge amo, z the freight cars.
When he arrived upon the scsne in.
quiiy was made Of crowd tf cotton
handlers as to the whereabouts of the
two men who had just entered, but in
the midst of business they had failed
to notice any such arrivals. The pur-
suing gentlem Al, almost out OF breath
from his long chase, continued his
search and soon discovered the feet
and legs OF a man standing between
two freight cars. As he came face to
face with the concealed individu Il he
recognized him as the one who h,d
snatched his money, and started 10
close 10 on him. When he had ap-
preached 10 within about five fest of
the robbsr, that worthy suddenly Pc
scented q pistol and fired, the ball tax.
ing effect in the fl shy part Of Mr..
Powers's right leg, just above the
knee. The wounded man fell to the
ground, and the robber, throwing his
pistol down, started on run toward
The river. MIR. Powers scrambled to
his feet and attempted to follow, but
had proceeded only few steps when
he found 1t useless in bis condition,
and again san k to the ground.
The cotton handlers and other EN-.
ployes about the yard, where the
occurred, soon collected
about the PROSTATE man, but in the
e xcitement the robber and would.be
murderer escaped. A doctor was
and Mr.. Powers made as
comfortable 90 possible, until q con-
veyauce could be procured to send
him to the room of friend at No 81
Old Madison street..
A reporter visited the gentleman at
his room, and found him resting EAST.
~. The ball had been cut out and
left wound which, though paioful,
ia by no cans dangerous. The
Charleston railroad fficisls are look
ing 10 his comfort and careful Surgical
a tentioD, aud he will probably BIZ out
within a week or two.
In dealing the circumstances 10
the reporter, Mr. Powers said he was
surprised at hs de erted condition of
the streets at the time. He cal ed for
assistance three or four times, bu' no
one appeared, Blu, for feeble cIn.
dition, caused by short spell OF sick.
ness, he is confident tue robbers
would have been overtsken by him
and The mon,y taken from tn. m be-
lore they had g me halt g distance.
HIS home is in Tuscumba, Ala, and
be has been in the employ OF the
Charleston road for sever Il years.
The man who perptt atyd the dar-
ing cine is described as folio VS.:
About fl ,e f. ct eight inch' high, dark
completed, dark mt acte, vi h no
beard, weight about l35 ads, had
On black greasy cap and dark brown
overall b esches, presenting the APP
Ds arance of railroad man.
II partner was about six feet tail
and had on a black SLOUGH hat and
,rsy overcoat. A minute desert ton
could not be given.
AS soon as the crime came to the |
knowledge of the police Capt. Hack
ut, Sergt. Hedrick and DIT 'ctive
Armst rong started on a search, going
lcross the liver and ring the 10 wer
portion Of the city, but up to the pres
mt time no trace has been discov-
red.